Friday, August 09, 2013

Ah - Edinburgh during the Festival. It’s hot, it’s cold. It’s wet, it’s dry. It’s like the whole city is going through the menopause. Perfect weather for flips-flops and an umbrella.As an Edinburgh resident (Yes, I’ve got my papers and had my injections) I’m excited that the greatest arts festival in the world is in my town.I love exploring bars and venues I don’t usually visit. The Counting House (West Nicholson Street) is an excellent venue, as is The Canons’ Gate (Canongate). Or maybe I’m just using the Festival as an excuse to drink in the afternoon. Or maybe it’s nosiness? I keep telling my neighbor she should put on a one-woman show in her flat. I don’t actually think she’s talented, but I know she’s had workmen in and I’m curious to see her new kitchen.The Royal Mile is starting to get busy. Especially when the crowds are coming out of the Royal Military Tattoo. Last night I spent 40 minutes watching 100‘s of pensioners fight their way down Johnston Terrace as they tried to find their coaches. It was like watching an extra-long episode of Walking With Dinosaurs.I’ve already seen several shows. I’d highly recommend both Lucy Porter at The Stand and Barry Castagnola at the Gilded Balloon. I also caught local sketch group The Colour Ham down at The Caves. This is another show definitely worth catching, with one of the best surprise endings I’ve ever seen! By-the-way, the staff at The Caves deserve a special mention. They were pleasant, smiling and helpful. Like Scotmid staff hopped on happy pills.Here’s a question - what do you think is the main topic of discussion between performers at the Fringe? Are they debating the narrative arcs of their shows? Are they arguing about the relationship between artist and audience? No - the big talking point is how much they’re paying for their accommodation. One bedroom flats are being rented out for between £800 and £1900 per month. Oh Edinburgh, you love Art, but not as much as you love making a quick buck.Which reminds me - the first time I visited the Festival I shared a flat with a mime artist and a fire eater. It was very quite, but very warm.Rising ticket prices are always a issue. So hats off to the Stand Comedy Club (York Place) who’ve kept the bulk of their shows at £10 or less. If they can do it why can’t other venues follow suit? £10 to see Mark Thomas must be of the Fringe’s best deals.Anyway, the BIG SHOW for all comedy fans is on Sunday 4th August, and it will be happening in your very own living room. That’s the night my new radio series, “Jo Caulfield’s Speakeasy”, starts on Radio 4. The whole series was conceived and recorded here in Auld Reekie. We have some of the finest international and local comedians telling true embarrassing stories, and I’m excited to say we have crime writer Ian Rankin’s comedy debut (11th), so I expect every show in town to have empty seats between 7.15pm and 7.45pm as you sit back and enjoy The Speakeasy, along with a wee dram of whisky and a deep-fried Mars bar. As per normal.I know I’m being flippant but I am incredibly proud of what The Speakeasy achieved here in Edinburgh - and proud to have given air-time to Scottish acts who, more-often-than-not, are cruelly ignored by the media.And remember - because it’s on radio and it’s free to listen, that means I am actually doing a FREE show, so please give generously on the way out. Yes, give money to yourself. That surely qualifies me as one of the greatest Fringe shows of all time - I’m asking my audience to financially reward themselves.Next week I’ll be telling you how to glue an old passport photo onto a small piece of cardboard, get it laminated at Pace Print (19 South Clerk Street), flash it at the door-staff, say “I’m a journalist” and walk into any show for free. What? You already knew that?? Of course you did. You’re Scottish.Jo Caulfield’s Speakeasy - 7.15pm, Sunday 4th August, Radio 4Written for Scotland On Sunday (4.8.2013)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Following the success of Jo's monthly night at the Scottish Storytelling Centre we are delighted to announce a special recording for BBC Radio 4.

Jo has invited some of her favourite comedians to tell some of the stories they've never dared to tell elsewhere. Prepare to be surprised, delighted, shocked and entertained!

We are offering these free tickets to fans of The Speakeasy before anyone else, so if you would like to book your tickets please contact the Scottish Storytelling Centre box office from Monday 10th June: 0131 556 9579

Monday, April 22, 2013

Following the success of Jo's monthly night at the Scottish Storytelling Centre we are delighted to announce these two special recordings for BBC Radio 4.

Jo has invited some of her favourite comedians to flex their verbal muscles and tell some of the stories they've never dared to tell elsewhere. Prepare to be surprised, delighted, shocked and entertained!

We are offering these free tickets to fans of The Speakeasy before anyone else, so if you would like to book your tickets please contact the Scottish Storytelling Centre box office: 0131 556 9579TUESDAY 7th MAY 2013Featuring Lucy Porter, Boothby Graffoe, Matt Green, Nathon Caton, Gareth Waugh and Keir McAllister.

The surprise hit and most talked about sketch act of 2012 are back with their brand new show. Last year was a complete sell out and this year you can expect even more nonsensical, magical, mentalist delights all wrapped up in a big ball of rock ‘n’ roll silliness. You will come. You will marvel. You will enjoy. The Colour Ham. "Ingenious" The Scotsman

"These guys had the audience in the palm of their magical hands - straight up belly laughs for the entire hour." Skinny Magazine. ★★★★

“The Colour Ham will take your breath away, hide it and then make it appear in someone else's pocket." Broadway Baby. ★★★★

Sunday, January 13, 2013

An evening where Edinburgh’s finest comedians experiment with the medium of Stand-Up. Expect stand-up, sketches & character comedy. Plus the LIVE recording of “The Good, The Bad & The Unexpected” - the ever popular comedy podcast.

About Me

Jo Caulfield is one of the most successful and instantly recognisable comedians in the UK.
Jo has been nominated as "Funniest Woman" (LAFTA Awards), "Best Female Stand-Up" (Chortle Awards) and one of "The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups" (Channel4).
The Guardian calls her “Scathing, bitchy and intelligent with masses of attitude", while The Observer advocates "Jo Caulfield is an inspiration to all would-be female comedians".
A regular guest on "Mock The Week", “Have I Got News For You” and “Never Mind The Buzzcocks”, Jo is also the star of her own critically acclaimed Radio 4 comedy show “It’s That Jo Caulfield Again”.
“Many of the points Jo Caulfield makes about the human condition would have sociologists stroking their beards in admiration, but her audiences tend to be laughing too much to notice” – The Times.
“Pick of the day. Scathing, bitchy and sharp-witted comedy” – Radio Times.